P55-UD6 is the top shelf motherboard from Gigabyte for Intel socket LGA1156 processors (Core i5 and Core i7). Let's take a look at this motherboard, with twelve SATA-300 ports, six memory sockets, support to SLI and CrossFireX, 24-phase voltage regulator and more.

P55-UD6 box deserves some attention. First because it is twice as tall than common motherboard boxes. It has a shiny look, with a very cool texture. The upper side is actually a door that, once opened, allows you to see the motherboard. Inside the box there is a plastic box that holds the motherboard, and a cardpaper box with manuals, accessories and cables, which justify the double high box.

click to enlargeFigure 1: P55-UD6 box.

click to enlargeFigure 2: Fake cover.

click to enlargeFigure 3: Box contents.

Looking at the motherboard, we immediately see the cooling system, with heatpipes connecting the voltage regulator transistor heatsink, the chipset and another heaksink that seems to be the southbridge cooling solution. But P55 chipset does not have a southbridge! In next few pages we will see what that heatsink cools.